Skip to Main Content

Unit

The Bill of Rights and Freedoms of the Press, Assembly, and Petition

Guiding question

First Amendment freedoms like press, assembly, and petition are essential to self-government. The Founders saw these freedoms as a bulwark of free, republican government and a means of assuring justice.

Published
Nov 6, 2020
Antique printing press machinery with intricate components and a large wheel.

Lessons

A vintage printing press with intricate machinery and a large wheel, displayed in a neutral setting.
Why Does a Free Press Matter?
  • 3 Activities
  • 70 min

How does a free press make self-government possible? Examine the history and importance of press freedom and encourage students to seek out information on constitutional issues from multiple sources.

A historic civil rights march with participants holding signs advocating for equality and integration.
Why Are the Rights to Assembly and Petition Important to Liberty?
  • 3 Activities
  • 20 min

The Founders knew that an individual's voice is at its most powerful when he can freely come together with citizens of like mind and speak as one. People in the United States have organized, demonstrated, petitioned, and protested in a variety of ways and on a variety of topics, many controversial, since our very beginnings. These rights, however, are not unlimited and must find balance with the rights and safety of others. This lesson explores this balance.

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →